Surrounded by
about 3 million Catholic youth, Natalie Mata couldn’t help feeling
a part of something bigger than herself.

“It was incredible,” said
Mata, a junior at Pinecrest Academy. “You saw everyone there
for the same reason and it was just really powerful
when you would all do things together because your faith
isn’t only yours, it was everyone else’s too.”

Mata, along with
a handful of other students from the private Catholic school
in south Forsyth recently returned from the annual World Youth
Day in Brazil.

The event drew youth from around the world
to explore the country and their faith. It culminated with
hearing Pope Francis speak to the millions gathered for Sunday
Mass on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro.